Q:How long have you been writing?
In the late eighties I started writing longhand in a spiral notebook, playing with plot and characters to see if I could write a book.
Q:How long did it take you to publish?
I never planned to be an author. I went to college to become an RN. In my first year at Sam Houston I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was eighteen and this hit me out of left field. When I could no longer walk to class, I had to come home and deal with thiscrippling disease. Through many surgeries and hospital stays I became an avid Harlequin romance reader. I loved those happy endings. I took up art and painted for a while. When I could no longer do that, my family encouraged me to write a book. I thought they were insane, but I did try. I spend a lot of days writing in that notebook. Didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I was busy. And I enjoyed it.
The book was rejected over and over, so I put it away and started another. By this time my husband had bought me a computer and I was off on this adventure of writing. I read how-to books and studied Harlequin romances over and over and over.
The Truth About Jane Doe sold to Super Romance on April 19, 1999. I’d say it took about ten years of sporadic writing to sell.
Q:How many manuscripts do you have hidden away/under the bed/in storage?
I have two partials.
Q: Do you have a writing schedule and if so, what is it?
In the mornings I read emails, do mailings or whatever. In the afternoon I write from 1-4:30 p.m. and from 7 to whatever time I can’t see anymore or my husband says it’s time to stop.
Q: Do you have a critique group? If yes, how many are in the group?
Not at this time. When Harlequin showed an interest in my second manuscript, I joined Brazos Writers in my hometown of College Station. They read the first three chapters and offered advice on what I needed to do to make the story stronger. That’s the only critique group I’ve ever joined. Those ladies, Pam Litton, Christi Hendricks and Naomi Giroux, were wonderful guiding me in the right direction.
Q: When developing an idea for a new story, which comes first – the plot or the title or the characters?
It’s usually a scene. In The Truth About Jane Doe, my first book, it was a baby left on someone’s doorstep. I developed the plot and then the characters. I basically still do it that way. A scene pops into my head and I go from there.
Q: How do you handle new story ideas that pop up when you’re in the middle of a project? (ex: notebook by the bed/ separate word file, etc?)
I still have a spiral notebook on my desk where I jot ideas or notes.
Q: Have you ever gotten to the middle of a project and got bored or lost your momentum? If so, how did you handle it?
I’ve gotten stuck a few times where I felt I was writing pure garbage. I stop. Take a break. Talk to a friend. My favorite is to sleep on it over night and think about where I’ve gone wrong, what’s causing the problem. A nap works, too. But some days I don’t have the luxury of time so I get my mind on something else and then go back to it. That has worked so far.
Q: Finish this sentence: If I could write anything I wanted and knew it would sell, it would be….
Oh, an epic like Lonesome Dove. I’d love to write a western saga.
Q: What is the best advice you ever received?
The best advice came from my husband. All those years ago when he was bugging me to write one of those books I was always reading, I told him I wouldn’t know where to start or what to write about. He said write what you like to read. Smart man. I did just that. And still do.
The next is don’t let the bad reviews get to you. It’s only one person’s opinion. And it doesn’t affect sales.
Q: What is the worst?
I haven’t received any bad advice. Everyone has been nice and helpful.
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
When I receive the book and hold it in my hand. It’s still hard for me to believe I’m an author–I wrote this book. But it is the most uplifting feeling and my favorite part of the writing process.
Q: What is your least favorite?
Deadlines!!!
Q: Which came first for you – the editor or the agent?
The editor. Still don’t have an agent.
Q: How many contests did you enter before you sold? How many did you final in?
I never entered a contest before I sold. I’d heard of RWA, but I didn’t know anything about the organization and all that it offered. Sad. Sad!
Q: How do your promote your books?
Web site, bookmarks, Romance Sells. Sometimes an ad in RT or RWR.
Q: Free form – your chance to tell us anything you’d like – tidbits, advice, funny stories, pet peeves, hopes, dreams, etc.
My call story.
In January 1999 I had my 15th surgery, a total hip replacement. I spent 3 months in the hospital because it was very involved with bone grafts and a specially designed implant that would support my fragile bones. When I was ready to go home, I was at the end of my patience, my endurance and my strength. But it wasn’t over. The doctor said I now had to go to a wheelchair. I could no longer walk with my crutches because my joints would no longer support me. All I heard was WHEELCHAIR and FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I did not take this news well, but I came home with an electric scooter. I sank into deep depression and the pain from the surgery was still severe. I was there at the end and I knew I could no longer keep fighting this disease that was slowly destroying my body.
I’m a very religious person and as I realized I was giving up, I started to pray. After a lot of tears and several minutes, the phone rang. The last thing I wanted was to talk to anyone. My mother-in-law answered and took a message. When I saw Paula Eykelhof’s name, I was surprised. I had totally forgotten about my book with her. The last thing I needed that day was a rejection, but I needed something so I returned the call. I’ll always remember her words, "Congratulations, I just bought your book." That afternoon I was back at my computer. I hadn’t touched it in months. I haven’t left it since. I tell Paula she saved my life and in a way that’s very true. Writing gave me the incentive to keep fighting, to keep going. In a WHEELCHAIR. I go to conferences in it and I’ve adjusted rather well to the blasted thing.
Remember that story I wrote in longhand that was rejected so many times. Paula was one of the editors who had read it and while we were working on rewrites she asked about the manuscript. I was stunned she had remembered that awful book. The lady has a phenomenal memory. She said she remembered the plot and would like to see another proposal on the book. I wrote a new proposal and she bought it. The Christmas Cradle became my first book for the Harlequin American line.
I don’t usually share so much about myself, but I wanted to let you know that dreams do come true. Sometimes a little different than we plan. Just NEVER give up. I have no credentials for writing these books except reading, reading, reading. With every book I’m still learning. Always A Mother will be my 20th book for Harlequin.
If I can do it, anyone can. God bless!
